Police Investigate Four Alleged Murder Cases After Three-Day Killing Spree
Police IGP Seedy Mukhtar Touray © Askanwi
By Fatoumata Jaiteh
The Gambia Police Force issued four reports between 29th and 31st January 2025, indicating their plans to investigate alleged murder cases occurring within a three-day killing spree. The cases that occurred in different locations have heightened security concerns amongst the general public.
According to police reports, the incidents involve varying circumstances, with suspects being identified for two of the cases while the remaining two cases are still under active investigation. Law enforcement authorities have assured the public that thorough investigations are underway to apprehend the perpetrators for the remaining two cases.
The first case involves the suspected murder of one Musa Bah, who was found dead in Bansang Sukuru Kunda Alatentu on Wednesday, 29th January 2025. According to the police, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but preliminary investigations suggest foul play. The police reported "finding weapons at the scene of the incident.” The second case involved the alleged murder of Nyakassi Jawneh, an adult resident of Willingara. Police reported that she was found motionless in her bed on 31st January 2025. While the exact cause of her death has not been confirmed, authorities suspect foul play and have launched an investigation to determine events leading to her untimely death.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Friday, 31st January 2025, the Serrekunda police announced an investigation into another alleged murder case involving two siblings in Dippa Kunda. The suspect, 18-year-old Fatoumata Bintou Jallow, was arrested in connection to the murder of her brother, Abdou Rahman Jallow, 21, now deceased. Also on the same day, the Brikamaba police also reported the investigation of another murder, this time in Sinchu Malado. The suspect, identified as Haddy Boye, was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of her husband, Karamo Jobe. Officials reported that a knife was found at the scene of the incident.
Notwithstanding, the GPF issued a statement on 3rd February 2025, clarifying the nature of the recent alleged murder cases, highlighting that the "incidents were all domestic-related [and] not gang-related crimes that could have been intercepted by regular police patrols." The police added that it’s crucial to recognise that domestic violence is not just a societal issue but a problem that demands collective action.
Meanwhile, back on 16th January, 2025, the Police Crime Department held a strategic meeting to plan for 2025 in which senior officers, including heads from departments such as “Investigations, Intelligence, Gender and Child Welfare, Forensics, and Crime Records,” were present. Just a month ago, in December 2024, the Gambia Police Force received support from the German and Turkish embassies on the German Police Force Support Team (GPST) project.
During the handing over and closure of the GPST Project, Inspector General Seedy Mukhtar Touray “appreciated the tangible impact this project has had on the GPF.” He highlighted that enhanced forensics is one of the benefits of the project, adding that “our forensics teams now have tools and skills, making crime-solving in the Gambia a lot more effective.”
